How to Pick Stain Colors for Yellow Pine

Yellow pine wood boards can be difficult to stain.

Samples should be taken on the specific type and cut of wood with staining in brown shades for the best results. Because of hardness variations and the presence of resins in the wood, additional treatments to open the wood for stains may be necessary to achieve the desired color.

1. Acquire a stain chart for yellow pine. Stain charts are available at the paint counter of most paint and stain stores. Look for a chart that demonstrates stains on the exact type of yellow pine that you are using.

2. Sit down with the color palette for your room or home. If the yellow pine you are going to stain is a type of wood flooring, then the stain color will impact your entire home and all the rooms where the flooring will be present. If the yellow pine is for trim, cabinets or wainscoting, the stain choice may affect only a single room.

3. Buy a stain color that will operate as a neutral and blend with wall color and the largest pieces of furniture. Pay particular attention to other wood furniture that may be placed in the room. Different wood colors may not work well together if the stain on your yellow pine has a strong yellow or orange undertone.

4. Compare hardware colors and furniture styles to the stain colors. Very transparent stains on yellow pine may convey a casual country or rustic style. Darker brown stains may be more neutral and allow for traditional and transitional styles. Take into account how many knots are visible on your board. A board with many knots will look busy and a darker stain may highlight knots.

5. Select hardware for the doors of pine cabinets that will minimize the orange and yellow undertone. Consider dark bronze metallic or black finishes. Avoid finishes that are too gray or brassy.